The Writing of Kerry E.B. Black

When I heard Alan Ball planned to adapt Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire Mysteries. I wondered how on earth it would happen. So much of Ms. Harris’ books is internal, with the story told from the main character Sookie Stackhouse’s perspective, and Sookie had a lot of sexual relations.

They did, indeed, produce a stylish HBO series, “True Blood.”

Anna Paquin played the lead, the plucky, hard-working Sookie Stackhouse. Sookie works as a waitress at Merlotte’s, a small bar in Bon Temps, Louisiana. Sookie was a telepath, and knowing the innermost thoughts of everyone she met made getting close to people difficult.

However, when Bill Compton entered the bar, she found a comforting silence from his mind. Bill was a vampire, one of the many who came “out of the coffin” when Japanese scientists synthesized a blood called True Blood or Life Flow. This product allowed vampires to exist in mainstreamed society. They could stake claims to citizenship, inheritance, and civil rights. Bill’s existence changed in the 1860’s when he encountered his “maker” or vampire surrogate.

Fascinated by Vampire Bill, Sookie began a journey into the world of supernatural creatures. Not only were vampires a part of society. Werewolves, fairies, shifters, and a Maenad inhabit Sookie’s world, as do a church filled with hateful bigots and other murderous sorts. Sookie’s gifts, unshakable loyalty, strong personality, and surprising heritage helped many of the characters she encountered.

The series changed much of the storyline from Charlaine Harris’ books, but it kept the escapist feel. The most notable difference was the Point of View. In the literary series, the story is told from Sookie’s perspective. This was not always the case in the television series. Several of the characters’ story arcs changed in the series as well. Writers developed a deeper storyline for Sookie’s friend, Tara. It changed vampire lore; for example, an invitation to a house could be rescinded and silver scarred and harmed vampires.

The series assumed names for its episodes from songs it then played over the ending credits.

Couched within salacious episodes were poignant examinations of equal rights, integrated marriage, violence against homosexuals, drug addiction, media influences, zealotry, and the importance of family. “True Blood” won a Golden Globe and an Emmy and garnered many other nominations.

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Kerry E.B. Black

Kerry E.B. Black loves words and entices them to create tales both fanciful and true. Haling from a small town situated along a fog enshrouded river outside of the City of Steel and Bridges in Pennsylvania, USA, Kerry incorporates Yankee sensibilities and a strong work ethic into every project. Some of Kerry's works have crept into anthologies and literary sites, and she writes for www.oneyearofletters.com, www.Halloweenforevermore.com and www.GamesOmniverse.com . She’s also a first reader for Postcard Poems and Prose. Kerry welcomes you to follow her on other social media sites as well, including: https://twitter.com/BlackKerryblick
http://www.amazon.com/Kerry-E.B.-Black
www.facebook.com/authorKerryE.B.Black

2 thoughts on “T is for True Blood”

Visiting your blog for the first time on the letter U day. Can you believe we are almost finished with the #Challenge? I appreciate finding new bloggers who have obviously been busy like yourself with interesting posts. I have been writing about hotels and inns, their architecture and architects, the settings and significance to a community. If you have time or interest, I hope you will come visit. Cheers.